Reflection on my first term as a final year student

Completing my first term as a final year law student during a global pandemic was not what I was expecting, but it’s something that we have all had to adapt to, and here at Solent University, we have done so together, as a team. We are all in the same boat and it has been wonderful to see, over the past nine months, how people on my course and across Solent University have adapted their way of teaching, learning, working and connecting, so we all still have a similar experience to what we would have before the pandemic.

I found the first few weeks of my first term as a final year student somewhat difficult, as I thought remote lectures and seminars were quite different to that of in-person sessions. I felt apprehensive that I wouldn’t get the same experience that I would have before. However, both academics and students soon found their feet, all getting used to new technology platforms and ways of collaborating together quickly. The familiar debates and interactions we would usually have started to find their place in our new normal and learning over the new platform has now become second nature.

As the weeks passed, I became more comfortable and have grown in confidence with the new way of completing my degree. I can now honestly say that I have got more from some sessions, in terms of fellow student engagement and working collaboratively, than I may have got before. I think this is because many of us have found opening up our laptops and taking part in sessions remotely easier than travelling to and from university.

In March, I was in the midst of an internship with the external relations department at Solent University. This was a role that I thoroughly enjoyed and has helped me grow personally and professionally. I was very lucky in that this role was able to continue remotely and I was able to supplement my income on top of my student loan during the lockdown. During my first term as a final year student I have continued to work for the university, which has been amazing because it fits around my timetable and the team always understand that my degree comes first and this is evident as I have still been able to keep up with deadlines and achieve high grades in my work.

This term I have given campus tours to prospective students and also taken part in virtual events, representing the University as a current student. I love doing this as I get to speak honestly to younger students about my experience here; I was once in their shoes and I know that speaking to university students would have really helped me when making the important decision of what course and ultimately which university to go to, so this has been a really rewarding experience.

I was concerned at the start of the pandemic that my career hopes of becoming a solicitor advocate may be hindered due to the current situation. However, I have been able to complete virtual internships with top law firms this term, which I may not have been able to before as they usually have a rigorous application processes and only allow a certain number of students to take part. In this sense, I think the current situation has made us more inclusive, allowing people who may not have had the opportunity before to be able to have these virtual opportunities.

Throughout my first term as a final year student, I have been able to continue volunteering with the Citizen’s Advice Witness Service at the local Crown and Magistrates Courts. In this role I provide emotional and practical support to witnesses and victims of crime throughout the trial process. This has enabled me to continue to gain valuable work experience, continue to work alongside the CPS, solicitors, barristers and court staff while also giving back to the community in what has been a difficult year for us all.

Overall, I would say my first term as a final year student has been a success. I have still been able to gain work experience, work part-time, achieve high grades in my coursework, and maintain relationships with friends and colleagues. I hope that my final months at Solent continue to be a success - I have no doubt that with hard work and the help of friends, family and colleagues it will be.

Paige